Cracks found in nuclear reactors !

[John_S4x4]

Okay folks, it's not THAT serious

British Energy found cracks in the graphite bricks at one of the two of the country's ageing advanced gas-cooled reactors (AGRs) in Hartlepool, County Durham. Cracking is now suspected in six other reactors at Heysham in Lancashire, Hinkley Point in Somerset and Hunterston in Ayrshire. The UK's 14 AGRs provide nearly a fifth of the country's electricity. The graphite bricks that form part of their core help sustain the nuclear reaction by slowing down fast-moving neutrons. They also play a vital part in maintaining the core's structural integrity.
Widespread cracks in these bricks could cause the core to distort, overheat and leak radiation. To ensure this does not happen, the NII has asked British Energy to conduct more inspections of the bricks. This means that reactors may have to be closed down for maintenance more frequently and for longer, at a cost in lost income of £250,000 a day for each reactor that is shut down.

[mybrainhurts]

Bit of T Cut'll sort it.....

[silverback mike]

Gaffer tape.

Used to work for me in the Royal Navy.
"What crack chief?

[mybrainhurts]

You used gaffer tape on your crack.....?

[fid]

And this is just one of the things that you actually get to hear...there's alot more that they keep to themselves!

[agent006]

Christ, this is about the one arae i would appreciate a good government coverup. Nuclear is about the only viable power source for the future and it gets nothing but bad press.

[alexkp]

mybrainhurts said:

You used gaffer tape on your crack.....?

It's the cheapskates way to get that extra close depilatory effect that is such the rage in Brazil....apparently....

[CB-Dave]

mybrainhurts said:

You used gaffer tape on your crack.....?

well you know what they say about sailors, maybe he was just trying to keep the rot out!!

[silverback mike]

Spent my time searching for the golden rivet.....never found it though.

[mybrainhurts]

You'll have to settle for the rusty nuts.....

[sadako]

Cracks found before they become a problem mean that the inspectors did their job and the units can be replaced before the reactor, like a mechanic doing a service seeing damage on a cam belt and replacing it before it breaks

[parrot of doom]

Well said Sadako